What happened to my favorite bar?!? Sylvia was the problem this particular night and how she was inappropriately managing the staff in front of the customers. We were there to watch the cubs playoff game and she gave numerous customers and other staff a hard time to change TVs to the cubs game! The owners need to know that people come to a SPORTS bar for an experience not. Step up your game and get back to your old standards of supporting your community and home teams! I saw three groups of people come and leave (their money lost) when they saw that a majority of the bars TVs didn’t have their home teams game on.
I am a disappointed, decade-plus long native to Bat 17. Sadly I won’t be back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Adam Pumm
I used to be a regular at the original Bat location 15 years ago. I’m glad to see they’re still around and serving some of my favorite dishes. However the atmosphere at this location isn’t quite what it used to be. The bar almost feels like an afterthought where before it used to be the center of the place. No more beer towers? Classy jazz on the speakers? Bat 17 we hardly knew ye. Just feels a bit overly classy and boomer focused now versus what it was originally. Still love the food though and would still recommend. Here’s to another 15+ years.
Chuck Blatt
Large menu and everything is very good. Nice place for a drink or meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Karen McCarty
The rueben egg rolls were fabulous! Our server was super pleasant (and good looking). Very prompt not pushy my kind of a late lunch. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Noah Friedman
Food and service were great as well on a busy football gameday and staff as accommodating and helped me charge my phone as well as serve awesome food and drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeremy Reese
Just a horrible experience. Server and bartender tried, but restaurant was so understaffed it resulted in a miserable experience. Waited ten minutes to be seated. Waited another 20 minutes to be greeted. Waited over an hour for food, which somehow managed to be both cold and dried out from the heat lamp, likely a lack of runners. I was polite but made it clear we weren’t having a positive experience. No manager to be found, staff felt overwhelmed and helpless. What a sad experience because we were really looking forward to eating here.
I hope management reaches out to rectify this situation and, even more so, never puts their staff in a situation to massively disappoint customers again without some type of resolve. You knew you set them up for failure, why weren’t you on site to help?
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
Sam Kaseff
We were sat down and did not receive water or a waiter/waitress to take our order for almost half an hour until we went up to the bar to ask for it. After we ordered, we noticed many people sat after us got their food before us, and we eventually left because it took so long. They blamed the service on a private party which is inexcusable! They should’ve compensated us for the beer.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jean Robertson
Excellent burgers. You have to order the Reuben Eggrolls as an appetizer! They are to die for!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brandon
I haven’t dined in since they’ve moved locations but vibe felt the same when I went for a pick up. I will point out that on my last take out order, my burger was way over cooked. It had a hard dark almost burnt ends. I wouldn’t say it was actually burnt but the meat was unfortunately way past well done which I did not request.
I really love this place because we had gone a few times because we knew they had the best burger in Evanston. It was very solid the last few times prior but this last pick up left me a little confused by the poor preparation of my food.
I am not going to be ordering from here for a bit but I am looking forward for a better experience next time.
I’m normally not the Karen type to leave reviews, but if I were the owner of Bat 17, I would want this constructive criticism. The food here is very good, but based on my recent experience I honestly don’t think they’ll be in business much longer if things don’t change.
Tonight I went in to place a to-go order at the bar (over an hour before scheduled close). It took 10–15 minutes before anyone acknowledged me, and during that time a guest who walked in after me was greeted and served a drink first. When another person mentioned more friends might be joining, the bartender responded with disappointment, saying they were trying to close early.
When I was finally acknowledged, I asked for a menu and water and let the bartender know I was planning to order food to go. A group of five walked in, and shortly after, the bartender returned and told me the kitchen was closed—turning away all food orders so they could shut down early.
I’m not a business owner, but common sense says this isn’t how you build a loyal customer base or a strong business. It’s a shame, because the food really is good. Evanston is in need of a true sports bar that wants people in their restaurant/bar.
Doug E
This is a very popular restaurant in Evanston and it recently expanded in size to accommodate more customers. Thankfully it is now less crowded and an overall better dining experience. On our visit in July of 2025, it was the night of the crosstown classic, and since this is a great place to watch sports, we were worried it would be too crowded. But it wasn't and we were seated immediately even without a reservation. I didn't get pictures of all of the food, but all of the dishes were terrific. We got some burgers, some sandwiches, and also a vegetarian salad. They have a very good selection of vegetarian menu items. So if you're near Evanston and looking for a sports bar with great food, this is the place to eat!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eric H
Pulled Pork & Bacon Burger!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
anna salera
The food was amazing and all came out at a reasonable time. Server was also outstanding. The busboy was there 24/7. I don’t know if that makes him good at his job or if he needs to be on America’s most wanted but was being watched at all times lol. Food was so good, I’ll still be back tho.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Jeannette O'Brien
I was really looking forward to trying this place as the reviews were good and the menu looked great. My friend and I went today. She ordered a draft beer and I ordered a bottled beer. When the bartender went to get her draft beer, he discovered the keg was out. So we waited 10 minutes for him to replace the keg only to be told that it was not the beer she wanted it was a different beer. So my friend asked if she could try it before she ordered and he got snippy and said well let me finish putting the keg on first. We let that go and ordered appetizers. We got the boneless buffalo chicken, wings and onion straws. While we were waiting for our appetizers, the bartender informed us that a private party would be coming in 20 minutes and we would have to move to a different area. We replied that we would move now so we wouldn’t have to move in the middle of eating our food. He then said the area we have to move to wasn’t ready yet, but it should be before our food came out. He walked away and came back with our food and set it on the bar in front of us giving us literally 10 minutes to eat it before we had to move to the other bar! The chicken wings were room temperature, but they were good as were the onion strings. HOWEVER… Before we were even halfway through with the appetizers, a giant Roach decided to run across the the bar right next to our plates!! Needless to say, I jumped up, grabbed my purse and stood away from the bar while the bartender killed the roach with a napkin! I said that’s it we’re leaving and the bartender handed us the check! When I asked for a manager, she took the food off the bill, but still charged us for our half drank Pints of beer. I understand that roaches happen but in my experience if roaches are running around during business hours with people sitting all around it has to be a severe problem! I’m never going back!
Horrible service.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
What happened to my favorite bar?!? Sylvia was the problem this particular night and how she was inappropriately managing the staff in front of the customers. We were there to watch the cubs playoff game and she gave numerous customers and other staff a hard time to change TVs to the cubs game! The owners need to know that people come to a SPORTS bar for an experience not. Step up your game and get back to your old standards of supporting your community and home teams! I saw three groups of people come and leave (their money lost) when they saw that a majority of the bars TVs didn’t have their home teams game on.
I am a disappointed, decade-plus long native to Bat 17. Sadly I won’t be back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
I used to be a regular at the original Bat location 15 years ago. I’m glad to see they’re still around and serving some of my favorite dishes. However the atmosphere at this location isn’t quite what it used to be. The bar almost feels like an afterthought where before it used to be the center of the place. No more beer towers? Classy jazz on the speakers? Bat 17 we hardly knew ye. Just feels a bit overly classy and boomer focused now versus what it was originally. Still love the food though and would still recommend. Here’s to another 15+ years.
Large menu and everything is very good. Nice place for a drink or meal.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
The rueben egg rolls were fabulous! Our server was super pleasant (and good looking). Very prompt not pushy my kind of a late lunch. Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food and service were great as well on a busy football gameday and staff as accommodating and helped me charge my phone as well as serve awesome food and drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just a horrible experience. Server and bartender tried, but restaurant was so understaffed it resulted in a miserable experience. Waited ten minutes to be seated. Waited another 20 minutes to be greeted. Waited over an hour for food, which somehow managed to be both cold and dried out from the heat lamp, likely a lack of runners. I was polite but made it clear we weren’t having a positive experience. No manager to be found, staff felt overwhelmed and helpless. What a sad experience because we were really looking forward to eating here.
I hope management reaches out to rectify this situation and, even more so, never puts their staff in a situation to massively disappoint customers again without some type of resolve. You knew you set them up for failure, why weren’t you on site to help?
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
We were sat down and did not receive water or a waiter/waitress to take our order for almost half an hour until we went up to the bar to ask for it. After we ordered, we noticed many people sat after us got their food before us, and we eventually left because it took so long. They blamed the service on a private party which is inexcusable! They should’ve compensated us for the beer.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Excellent burgers. You have to order the Reuben Eggrolls as an appetizer! They are to die for!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I haven’t dined in since they’ve moved locations but vibe felt the same when I went for a pick up. I will point out that on my last take out order, my burger was way over cooked. It had a hard dark almost burnt ends. I wouldn’t say it was actually burnt but the meat was unfortunately way past well done which I did not request.
I really love this place because we had gone a few times because we knew they had the best burger in Evanston. It was very solid the last few times prior but this last pick up left me a little confused by the poor preparation of my food.
I am not going to be ordering from here for a bit but I am looking forward for a better experience next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I’m normally not the Karen type to leave reviews, but if I were the owner of Bat 17, I would want this constructive criticism. The food here is very good, but based on my recent experience I honestly don’t think they’ll be in business much longer if things don’t change.
Tonight I went in to place a to-go order at the bar (over an hour before scheduled close). It took 10–15 minutes before anyone acknowledged me, and during that time a guest who walked in after me was greeted and served a drink first. When another person mentioned more friends might be joining, the bartender responded with disappointment, saying they were trying to close early.
When I was finally acknowledged, I asked for a menu and water and let the bartender know I was planning to order food to go. A group of five walked in, and shortly after, the bartender returned and told me the kitchen was closed—turning away all food orders so they could shut down early.
I’m not a business owner, but common sense says this isn’t how you build a loyal customer base or a strong business. It’s a shame, because the food really is good. Evanston is in need of a true sports bar that wants people in their restaurant/bar.
This is a very popular restaurant in Evanston and it recently expanded in size to accommodate more customers. Thankfully it is now less crowded and an overall better dining experience. On our visit in July of 2025, it was the night of the crosstown classic, and since this is a great place to watch sports, we were worried it would be too crowded. But it wasn't and we were seated immediately even without a reservation. I didn't get pictures of all of the food, but all of the dishes were terrific. We got some burgers, some sandwiches, and also a vegetarian salad. They have a very good selection of vegetarian menu items. So if you're near Evanston and looking for a sports bar with great food, this is the place to eat!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pulled Pork & Bacon Burger!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was amazing and all came out at a reasonable time. Server was also outstanding. The busboy was there 24/7. I don’t know if that makes him good at his job or if he needs to be on America’s most wanted but was being watched at all times lol. Food was so good, I’ll still be back tho.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
I was really looking forward to trying this place as the reviews were good and the menu looked great. My friend and I went today. She ordered a draft beer and I ordered a bottled beer. When the bartender went to get her draft beer, he discovered the keg was out. So we waited 10 minutes for him to replace the keg only to be told that it was not the beer she wanted it was a different beer. So my friend asked if she could try it before she ordered and he got snippy and said well let me finish putting the keg on first. We let that go and ordered appetizers. We got the boneless buffalo chicken, wings and onion straws. While we were waiting for our appetizers, the bartender informed us that a private party would be coming in 20 minutes and we would have to move to a different area. We replied that we would move now so we wouldn’t have to move in the middle of eating our food. He then said the area we have to move to wasn’t ready yet, but it should be before our food came out. He walked away and came back with our food and set it on the bar in front of us giving us literally 10 minutes to eat it before we had to move to the other bar! The chicken wings were room temperature, but they were good as were the onion strings. HOWEVER… Before we were even halfway through with the appetizers, a giant Roach decided to run across the the bar right next to our plates!! Needless to say, I jumped up, grabbed my purse and stood away from the bar while the bartender killed the roach with a napkin! I said that’s it we’re leaving and the bartender handed us the check! When I asked for a manager, she took the food off the bill, but still charged us for our half drank Pints of beer. I understand that roaches happen but in my experience if roaches are running around during business hours with people sitting all around it has to be a severe problem! I’m never going back!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
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